45+ small business grants to apply for [plus tips, resources, and alternatives]

Securing funding can be an initial hurdle for any business, so it’s no surprise that 1 in 10 small business owners says getting financing to unlock growth is their #1 goal. Nevertheless, there are resources available to help overcome this problem. Small business grants provide funding for operations without the burden of monthly loan payments and interest rates.

This comprehensive guide covers ways to get a small business grant and explores over 40 small business grants across various industries and locations to help you get the funds you need.

We'll not only provide details on each grant program, but also equip you with valuable tips to strengthen your application, highlight helpful resources to streamline your search, and explore alternative funding options like small business loans to consider alongside grants.

Intuit QuickBooks has no stake or influence in grants listed for other companies.

• What is a small business grant?
• Federal government grants for small businesses
• State and local government grants
• Corporate grants
• Demographic-focused grants
• Private grants

What is a small business grant?

A small business grant is money that’s given to you to help fund your business. Grants are available from a variety of sources, including the federal government, educational institutions, nonprofits, corporations, and other organizations.

Many grants are designed to help entrepreneurs further their business initiatives. Simply put, grants raise capital for your business without you needing to take out small business loans, rack up credit card debt, or give up ownership. Business grants are beneficial because money awarded doesn’t need to be paid back.

Wait…that sounds like free money.

That’s a common assumption, but it’s hardly the case. Most grant programs have a fairly rigorous application process. This often requires a well-crafted business plan, detailed reporting or financial statements, and a business idea rooted in serving the greater good.

Organizations that provide grants are typically interested in supporting businesses that share their goals. For instance, an ocean advocacy organization might offer grants to companies that specialize in products that reduce plastic pollution.

The funding prerequisites or motivations vary depending on the type of grant. While there usually isn’t a repayment requirement, there are expectations, such as transparency and reporting, that help hold grant recipients accountable.

What is the difference between a small business grant and a small business loan?

With small business loans, you are expected to pay the money back to the lender. Small business grants don't need to be paid back. Another major difference between grants and loans is that grant money is typically restricted to certain uses. When you apply for grants, look for guidelines that tell you how you can use the grant money.

Small business grants by category

The different types of grants available for small businesses are nearly endless. It's important to learn more about the grants before applying, because not every grant is going to be applicable to your small business. Many grants target specific initiatives such as scientific research, technical assistance, or economic development in rural areas—meaning eligibility is limited.

To help you get started, here are some of the most common types of grants and examples of potential grants you can apply for.

Federal government grants for small businesses

The United States government rarely conducts research or creates new technologies on its own. That’s why — when a political platform promises dedication to something like environmental sustainability or curing diseases — government agencies award grants to small businesses already striving to meet these goals. The same is true for growth grants meant to fuel innovation through startup businesses.

Federal grants typically fall into one of four main categories:

• Research and development grants
• Exporting grants for selling internationally
• Nonprofit or local government work grants
• Other agency-specific federal grants

Take a look at some of the programs below to see how the government works with small businesses to efficiently research problems and develop responsive solutions. 

1. America’s Seed Fund

Through America’s Seed Fund, the National Science Foundation (NSF) provides grants of up to $2 million to startups and small businesses doing innovative technology work. 

2. National Institute of Health (NIH)

Both for-profit and not-for-profit research institutions receive grants to research health issues that are critical to the US and the world. 

Types of NIH grants include research grants, career development awards, research training and fellowships, program project or center grants, resource grants, and trans-NIH programs. 

3. Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)

 The SBIR program awards grants to US-based small businesses for federal research or research and development (R&D) that can be commercialized, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA).

4. Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR)

The STTR program has the same mission as SBIR: to fund research and development projects that meet federal needs. Collaboration with a research institution is a necessary component of the program, according to the SBA.

5. US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The USDA offers the Rural Business Development Grant program to help! This program awards funding to qualified small businesses in rural communities, specifically those with fewer than 50 employees and under $1 million in annual revenue. 

6. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The EPA awards more than $4 billion annually to fund environmental projects. These grants are typically awarded to nonprofit organizations and state governments. 

7. Department of the Interior (DOI)

DOI oversees domestic lands, water, wildlife, and energy through scientific study and projects. The DOI manages an extensive grant program that helps fund nonprofit work in these areas. 

8. Department of Energy grants (DOE)

The DOE offers grants for businesses working in technology development and for governments starting up energy-related projects, like carbon accounting projects.

9. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

The Department of Commerce's MBDA offers several grant opportunities that support minority-owned business development.

State and local government grants

State and local governments across the country issue grants to address needs specific to their geographic area. For example, the city of Los Angeles’ environmental grants focus on water usage and clean air, while the state of Kansas favors soil preservation.

Two common trends show up in state and local government small business grants. First, state and local governments use grant money to attract new businesses and create jobs. Second, they fund projects that meet a specific local need.

Of course, there’s a huge variety of state and local grants—far more than we could possibly list here. But we’ve pulled together some examples so you can get a feel for the different types of grants that are out there.

Since access to grants is still low, we’ve pulled together some examples so you can get a feel for the different types of state grants that are out there.

10. California Employability Business Grant

The EmployABILITY Business Grant offers financial assistance to qualifying small and medium-sized businesses to cover the costs associated with hiring new employees with disabilities. Grant awards range from $20,000 to $200,000. 

11. California Restaurants Care Resilience Fund 

California's independent restaurants can win $5,000 grants from Restaurants Care. These grants help upgrade kitchens or retain staff. To qualify, your restaurant must be in California, independent, open at least a year, make under $3 million annually, and be a customer of SoCalGas, PG&E, or SDG&E. 

12. Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade grants

Find grants for tech, cannabis, arts & film, and more. Funding ranges from $10,000 to $350,000. Visit the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade for details. 

13. Colorado First Southwest Community Fund education programs

The FSWCF Rural Women-Led Business Fund Education program provides women and non-binary founders with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive. The Fortaleza Fund Education program, on the other hand, is specifically designed to support immigrant entrepreneurs.

14. Florida Prospera Business Grants

Florida's Prospera empowers Hispanic entrepreneurs through bilingual business development services. Free consultations assess legal, accounting, marketing, and branding needs. Qualifying businesses receive grants for professional services, propelling their growth. 

15. Florida Enterprise Florida Trade Grants

Enterprise Florida Trade Grants helps exporters boost sales globally with grant funding through the Florida Export Diversification & Expansion Program. Qualifying businesses operating for at least two years with 3-500 employees and exceeding $250,000 in annual sales can apply for grants supporting international market expansion efforts. 

16. Go Georgia Global grants

The Go Global Georgia grant program reimburses qualified Georgia businesses for approved export activities like website translation, trade show travel, and export consulting. To qualify, your business must be operational in Georgia for at least a year and meet SBA size standards. 

17. Georgia Cobb County Entrepreneurship Grant Program 

Cobb County, Georgia, offers grants of up to $10,000 for qualified small businesses. Licensed businesses committed to staying in the county and participating in an entrepreneurial program are encouraged to apply. Grants can fund marketing, equipment, operations, and improvements. 

18. New York Wayne County Microburst Grant Program 

Wayne County, New York, offers grants between $5,000 and $20,000 to jumpstart microbusiness ventures. Qualifying businesses must be operational for less than a year, create a full-time job for a low-to-moderate income resident, and complete SCORE business classes. Grant recipients also provide a 10% funding match. 

19. New York Public Library StartUP! Business Plan Competition 

Aspiring entrepreneurs in New York City can launch their businesses with grant funding from borough-specific programs. Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island startups can compete for $7,500 to $15,000 through the New York Public Library's StartUP! Competition, which includes workshops and business mentorship. 

20. Ohio Montgomery County Economic Development/Government Equity (ED/GE) Grant Program

Montgomery County offers grant opportunities for small businesses to fund permanent improvements. Twice a year, local jurisdictions submit applications on behalf of businesses for projects like renovations, power upgrades, or parking improvements. 

21. JobsOhio Inclusion Grant

Ohio's JobsOhio Inclusion Grant provides financial assistance of up to $50,000 to help small and medium-sized businesses grow. This program specifically targets businesses in distressed communities, those owned by minorities, women, veterans, or individuals with disabilities, and those with a business-to-business focus. 

22. Texas Workforce Commission Skills for Small Business Program

Texas' Skills for Small Business program offers funding for training new hires up to $1,800 and existing employees of $900 per year. Qualifying businesses with less than 100 employees can leverage these funds to cover costs associated with training programs delivered by public community and technical colleges or the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.

Corporate grants

Grant programs for small businesses don’t end with federal and state governments. Large corporate enterprises also benefit from the creation of small businesses. Similar to government grants, This type of business structure can also supply grants to small businesses that meet a defined set of goals or standards.

23. Intuit QuickBooks Grant Program

Small business owners looking for support in running or growing their operations are awarded a $10,000 grant and three months of business coaching. Applications for the 2024 grant have closed, but stay tuned for 2025 and beyond.

24. Freed Fellowship Grant

The Freed Fellowship awards a monthly $500 microgrant to one lucky entrepreneur. But that's not all! Grant recipients are also considered for a year-end bonus of $2,500, along with expert business strategy advice and a year of membership in the Freed Studio, a thriving online community of entrepreneurs.

25. Verizon Small Business Grant

Empower your small business with a comprehensive suite of free online resources. By actively participating in at least two of Verizon’s Digital Ready program offerings, you'll unlock the opportunity to compete for a life-changing $10,000 grant to fuel your business growth. 

26. Amazon Small Business Grant

The annual Amazon Small Business Grant program awards free grants of $15,000 to $25,000, along with valuable bonuses like a Business Prime membership and free products, to 15 lucky businesses with an Amazon Business account and annual revenue under $1 million.

27. Visa Everywhere Initiative

This Visa grant program is designed to support the global fintech startup community through its annual competition.

28. FedEx Small Business Grant Contest

US-based small businesses are awarded grants and prizes through FedEx’s annual grants program.

29. American Express Backing Small Businesses

American Express and Main Street America's Backing Small Businesses program offers a chance for historic Main Street, downtown, and commercial district businesses to win $10,000 grants.

30. Venmo Small Business Grant

The Venmo Small Business Grant offers $10,000 grants to 20 lucky businesses, plus public promotion on Venmo's platforms and mentorship from industry experts. Qualifying businesses need a US Venmo account with a valid business profile, annual sales under $50,000, and a team of 10 or fewer.

31. Lenovo Evolve small-business grant

Lenovo empowers small businesses across North America! Their Evolve Small initiative provides grants, technology donations, and business support. In 2023 alone, they awarded $10,000 in grants, Lenovo laptops, and valuable business guidance to 30 deserving businesses.

32. HoneyBook Breakthrough Grant

HoneyBook awards $18,000 in cash, a three-year HoneyBook Premium membership, and expert guidance valued at $4,600 from HoneyBook Pros. Qualifying applicants must be independent business owners selling their services and have been in operation for less than three years. 

33. Fast Break for Small Business

Partnering with the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League, LegalZoom offers the Fast Break for Small Business program. This program empowers entrepreneurs with grants and legal resources to fuel their success. Small businesses operating for at least three months can compete for $10,000 grants.

34. The UPS Store Small Biz Challenge

Competed in the UPS Store Small Biz Challenge for a grand prize of $25,000 and national exposure in Inc. Magazine, plus the opportunity to be recognized as one of America's unstoppable small businesses. Two runner-up finalists will each walk away with $5,000. 

35. Patagonia Corporate Grant Program

Outdoor gear company Patagonia funds grants for nonprofit organizations focused on protecting the environment.

36. Amegy Bank Small Business Boost Program

In partnership with the Houston Texans, Amegy Bank offers $5,000 grants to local small businesses. This program empowers locally owned and operated businesses with under 500 employees to take their success to the next level.

Demographic-focused grants

More than 11 million business owners identify as members of a minority community, constituting 33.7% of total US business ownership, according to the most recent Census Bureau data. Native American-owned businesses comprise only 1% of total business ownership, according to the SBA, while Black Americans own 10.6% of businesses.

Demographic-focused grants are available for businesses owned by certain minority groups, veterans, and entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities. 

37. Amber Grant Foundation

The Amber Grant Foundation awards multiple grants throughout the year. This includes the flagship $10,000 Monthly Amber Grant, three annual $25,000 grants, quarterly $10,000 Startup and Non-Profit Grants, and 12 monthly Business Category Grants at $10,000 each.

38. Queer to Stay: LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative

The Queer to Stay initiative grant program offers financial assistance to at least 25 LGBTQ+ small businesses, prioritizing those serving people of color, women, and transgender individuals. 

39. RTC Women in Tech Fund

Rewriting The Code (RTC) empowers college and early-career women in tech to dismantle gender and racial barriers in the industry. Their RTC Women in Tech Fund offers financial aid to women pursuing undergraduate tech degrees, specifically targeting costs that might hinder their education. Three distinct grants cater to each applicant's unique financial needs. 

40. Black Girl Ventures Pitch Program

The Black Girl Ventures Pitch Program is your chance to pitch for cash prizes, incubator access, and a powerful network. This program provides coaching, a live crowdfunded pitch competition, and valuable networking opportunities to propel your business forward.

41. Corporate Counsel Women of Color Entrepreneur Grant

Female entrepreneurs, take note! The Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC) is awarding five $2,500 grants to support your ventures. Qualifying businesses must be US-based, with over $25,000 in revenue.

42. Foundation for a Just Society Grant

Supporting women, girls, and LGBTQI individuals globally, the Foundation for a Just Society awards grants to local, national, regional, and international organizations advocating for their rights. The foundation distributes grants quarterly.

Private grants

Private grants are those offered by a private organization or individual. These types of grants usually have fewer restrictions because the funds are awarded by a private entity.

43. Ford Foundation

This Ford foundation has a variety of grant opportunities for organizations that drive social justice and equality. Their funding focuses on critical areas like dismantling racial and ethnic discrimination, empowering women and girls, and ensuring access to quality education and technology.

44. J.M. Kaplan Fund

This J.M. Kaplan private grant program supports entrepreneurs dedicated to solving urgent social and environmental challenges. Consider applying if your venture tackles issues like climate change mitigation, sustainable resource management, social justice reform, or fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

45. The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation provides various grants to support initiatives that help vulnerable communities.  If your organization works tirelessly to empower underserved populations and bridge these critical gaps, explore their grant programs.

46. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving health equity and health care for Americans. They target initiatives that address racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, support innovative solutions for chronic disease management, and promote access to affordable preventative care. 

47. The Heinz Endowments

The Heinz Endowments Foundation provides grants for organizations focused on sustainability, arts, and more. Their diverse funding portfolio tackles a wide range of challenges, from environmental conservation and clean energy initiatives to fostering vibrant arts communities and cultural preservation efforts.

How to apply for a small business grant

Competition for grants is often very high. It’s important to spend your time wisely by only applying for grants that are a good fit. This approach can help you use your time most efficiently and hopefully secure funding sooner. Follow these steps to start the grant application process.

1. Find grant options to apply for

Your journey starts with identifying the right grants. Explore resources like Grants.gov, SBA websites, and local economic development offices to discover programs aligned with your industry, location, and business goals. Don't be afraid to get specific as many grants target niche areas.

2. Carefully review the criteria and application guidelines

Read application materials thoroughly, paying close attention to eligibility requirements, funding amounts, and evaluation criteria. Ensure your business aligns perfectly with the program's goals before investing time in the application process.

3. Complete the necessary forms

Each grant program has its own application format. Gather the required documents like business plans, financial statements, and letters of recommendation well in advance. Pay close attention to detail and ensure all information is accurate and up-to-date.

4. Submit your application by the stated deadline

Many grants have strict deadlines, often falling on specific dates or with application windows that close promptly at a certain time. Missing a deadline can result in disqualification from the grant program, so be sure to plan ahead and submit your application in advance.

5. Continue applying for other grants in the meantime

The grant application process can be competitive, so don't put all your eggs in one basket. Apply for multiple grants that align with your business goals. This increases your chances of securing funding and helps diversify your funding sources.

Note that you may have to provide additional information if requested by the organization. Software like QuickBooks Online can help you generate financial statements and reports to be shared with grant providers, if requested. Qualifying for a grant isn’t easy, but pursuing these opportunities is well worth the effort.

Alternatives to small-business grants

If you don't find the perfect grant match right away, don't fret. Here are some alternative funding avenues to explore and expand your financial options:

• Small-business loans: From bank loans and SBA options to lines of credit, term loans, and equipment financing, explore your lending options and learn how to choose the perfect fit for your business needs.
• Small-business credit cards: Take your pick from a wide range of credit cards designed to fund your everyday business purchases, all while earning valuable rewards for your spending.
• Crowdfunding for business: Launch a crowdfunding campaign to raise capital for your business by promoting your product or service directly to potential customers who can support your entrepreneurial journey.

Small business grant resources

If you want more grant-related advice, programs, and mentorship for small business owners, here are 10 more resources to check out:

• Grants.gov: Grants.gov makes it easier for applicants to find available federal grants and interact digitally with federal grant-awarding agencies.
• US Chamber of Commerce: The Chamber of Commerce keeps a regularly updated list of grants that stretches beyond those available on Grants.gov. 
• SBA funding resources: The SBA provides startups and small businesses with resources about acquiring necessary funds, including grants.
• State Business Incentives Database: An interactive US map detailing incentive programs like grants, loans, tax exemptions and credits, and preferential rates by state.
• SCORE: The SBA-backed organization supports small businesses with resources and mentorship, which can be key when seeking funds.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): These local assistance programs promote entrepreneurship and small business growth in connection with the SBA.
• Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC): In partnership with the SBA, Women's Business Centers offer training, mentoring, business development, and financing to women entrepreneurs.
• Boots to Business (B2B): A five-year business training program backed by the SBA for active-duty service members, veterans, and their spouses. 
• Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC): These SBA-backed centers support entrepreneurial veterans and their families with education, planning, and mentorship.
• Hello Alice: Hello Alice is a resource center for Black business owners that highlights new funding opportunities in partnership with the NAACP.

You can also check with your local librarian, your city’s economic development site, or your state’s economic development or secretary of state site. 

Keep in mind that grants often have very strict eligibility requirements and deadlines. Do your due diligence and make sure to follow the rules so you have a realistic chance of being considered for the grant opportunity.

What are your funding options?

Securing funding is a crucial step in propelling your small business forward. Although small business grants offer an enticing option with the benefit of free capital, remember there are many paths to financial success. 

Explore the variety of funding options covered in this post, from traditional loans and credit cards to innovative avenues like crowdfunding. While you're at it, consider opting for accounting software to help streamline the grant application process. Sign up for your free QuickBooks Online trial to see if its the right accounting software for your business.